Island



Dec. 7 1926. 1,610,187

J. A. VINCENT TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed April 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gnbenfoz mow/W &7 z

Dec. 7 1926. 1,610,187 4 J. A. VINCENT TIME CONTEQLLED SWITCH 2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

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Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES JAMES A. VINCENT, F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

TIME-CONTROLLED SWITCH.

Application filed April 3, 1926. Serial No. 99,554.

My invention relates to time controlled electric switches and particularly to a time controlled switch adapted for use in connection with the lighting system of an automobile for turning the parking light on or off at a designated time.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a time controlled electric switch for operating the parking light circuit of an automobile ata designated predetermined time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved combination clock and switch mechanism for use in connection with the lighting circuit of an automobile.- A further objectof the invention is the provision of a novel clock operated switch mechanism for controlling an electrical lighting circuit. 7

A still further, object of the invention is the provision in a device of this character of novel meanst'or setting the time controlled switch mechanism.

lVith these objects in view and such others as will be apparent from the. description, the invention resides in the novel combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing one practical embodiment of the principles of the invention, and wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of the clock I as adapted for mounting on the dashboard of an automobile;

Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof with the lighting circuit in schematic plan;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of vthe assem bled clock and switch mechanism;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the switch mechanism beneath the insulating plate shown in Figures 2 and 3 and illustrating the parts in cocked position;

Figure 5 is a similar elevation illustrating the parts in sprung position;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4 with the clock casing shown in elevation;

Figure 7 is an elevation on the opposite side of the insulating plate as shown in Figure 2.

In detail, the invention comprises a clock 10 of the conventional alarm clock type having a face flange 11 by which it is adapted to be disposed upon the dashboard of an auprovided with the as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and carrying an indicator arm 16 for registry with suitable indicia. 17 disposed on the face of the flange 11. At the rear of the clock casing the shaft 14 extends outwardly having rigidly secured thereto an eccentric circular cam 18 adapted for movement through the medium of rotation of the shaft 14, into the positions as shown by dotted lines in Figure 5 for engaging beneath the end of a trigger 19 which is slidably disposed for movement in the direction of its length upon the back plate 20 of the clock casing. The cam engaging end 21 of the trigger is guided and retained in position beneath a strap 22 suitably formed on the back of the plate 20. At the opposite end of the trigger sliding connection is made through the medium of a longitudinal slot 23 in the body of the trigger whereby the trigger is slidably positioned over a securing bolt 24 carried by the plate 20. l

A coiled retracting spring 25 has one end secured to the strap 22 and the opposite end secured to an extension 26 of the trigger 19' whereby the trigger is normally drawn into sprung position through the action of the spring. In this embodiment of the invention the arbor 27 of the alarm mechanism, with which the clock is provided, has fixedly secured thereto a ratchet wheel 28 the teeth of which are formed for engagement under a shoulder 29 formed on the trigger 19, the normal set position of the elements being illustrated in Figure 4. Extending laterally from the body of the trigger on the side opposite the shoulder 29 is a hook extension 30 forming an integral part of the trigger body and adapted for engagement over the alarm stop lever 31 with which the clock is provided as in the conventional construction.

At substantially its center the trigger 19 is provided with a pin 32 rigidly carried thereby and extending rearwardly relative to the back plate 20.

Suitably secured, preferably by means of llU' spending to the diameter of the back plate 20. 'llhe abodypfthe diskn-fi is suitably apertunedat theip'oints 35,536, 33.7 .and 138 'to permit extension therethrough of the various arbors and rearwardly projecting members of the meehanisn'rfTht: inner face of the disk, as illustrated best in Figure ,7 has dis posed thereon a plurality of electrical conductor strips 39, 40, 41 and fl foina purpose to be hereinafte explained 1. The outeriorirearmost face of xthed-isk 34, as illustrated in Fig. 2,Ehasm1ounted;thereon a -.ph1rality .ofieleotnical contacts A3,. A i, .45, 4t6,'and 17,rthe last-namedibeing formed as a sector. Whnezthealiskfiiiengages overthe setting meehanismzshaft' .14, 'it ;is :provided arc-i acirole.

with anedge. recess 48.1fm, receiving the shaft mountingv gthenethrough .andadjacent the shzizft-thbcontactsAT, and ware-disposed inispanedaelntion 2=i11 mimarc lying: in'the oircumferenceiotfsa circle having;tlie.-a xis ofrthe shaft l4 -as ,its .oenter. Mounted ;on the rear extremity of- 'rhe 'shaft 14; :-for rotation therewith is an i-shaped .contact'having right -.-an.- gular. armszg iandi50; ithez etunction-of which is .to :hridge tanieleotrical; circuit between the sectorncontaet 411 51nd either; of the contacts 45; and 46;idepe1iding zupon the iposition of .the setting mechanism. indicated by the pointer 146.211; thefrontofrtheclook. 1

.slightly 'Jiromtlie contact A-and in-ithe same The disk 34: carries ,a bindingfpost a which :is ,in-eloetricaloonta'c throug th medium .Qfa strip 55 withfa'lbmd ng post 56 to which is connected ,a wire 7.. BIYO Q .over-the-post'fiatais a hell crank -;le;ver having --the-arms 58 and .9,.t1ie arm 59:being adapted for making electrical -contact with either of ;the contacts 45 .or d3, de pcnd1 ng upon the position ofi-the lever. :lhe-a-rrnfiS-is bifurrated at its mid '60 for engagement over a .pin 32ica-rniedzby:the-trigger 1 9, so that-upon movementof the pin 32 the 319N613 comprisingwthe arms 58;and 59 willzbe rocked on the .post54 as indicated iirthe dotted lines shown in Figure 2.

In the .-opera tion of the mechanism embodying the principlesot this invention, .the alarm mechanism is first set at the desired time. and the trigger setting mechanism is then operatedto placethe clock incondition BEST AVAILABLE COP\ -for operation at the appointed hour, either toiopen .or close the circuit leading :trom the current source 53 through .the mechanism, wire 57 and dash switch 61, parking light 62, through the ground 63, back to the battcry53'.

, ,lio ythe purpose of explanation, it will be assumed that the parts are in the position h yvn inF- i-gure 5 avith the trigger sprung.

If it is desired to set the parking light circuit so :t-hat-the, light will be extinguished at 8. a. 111., the-alarm hand is setsubst-antia-Hyas indicated in Figure =l ,.iaiter-.wl1ichthe openating .handle is rotated :80 that-the. 03am L8 engages under the end of the-trigger elevating same against the ,action-o"f thesplsing and permittingtheshoulder29 to engage over-.oneoithe teeth off thekrzitchet 28 carried by the alarm mechanism arbor-52.7. After @this cocking operation is completed, the operating handle 15 is again.;1 noved,.to bringthe indicatorfdia lim intothe ofi posii'ionendthomlasih suaitohitil is closed. The circuit will gthen be completed-from the hatrough :ilhe wi 5 ,;:l)l iI g-PQ$ 5i, conductor strip 40, contact 41, contact arms i9 and ,50, contact 45,conductor strip A2, contact-4 1i, .bellicrank lever arm.5 9, ,post is, .contacts 55, :binding post 5Q, wire 5'Z, switch 61, par-king light 62, and-backthrpugh gthegmund to the battery 53, When-the alarm is sprung. at the designated time, .the

rotation of gthe :alarm mechanism arbor 27 will move the ratchet- -,w,heel 28 releasing the engagement .of the trigger shoulder 2 Q, perquitting=the.tensiQn ofithe; spring 25,};0; spring the ;t -rigger into the -;positionfa s showarn Figure 5. As the trigger plate removes .Qnder theac'tion of the spring 25, the engage- -ment of the ,t-rigge r pin-32 1n the bifurcated "end of the hell Crank lever comprising the arms '58 and ;5 9 will cause the lever to rock upon itspivotpo'st 5-52, moringfthe contact finger-'39 from its engagement with the contact 44, thereby breaking .the circuit at that point and extinguishing the parking light, The ,arm ;5i9 moves over ,and establishes contact w ith the :Contact i3. At-the same time, thedownward travel of theitrigger draws .the hook 30 over the alarm stop lever 31, thereby cutting ofi the alarm rne chunism and arresting. further rotation of the arbor 27 and .ratchet wheel 28.

Erom this explanation the operation of the mechanismfor placing the parking light -Cll Cll1tll1 .a condition to. he closed at a desig- ,nated hour willbe-readily understood, The trigger is first cocked by a prelnn narymovenient ;of the operating handle '15, and the mechanism is then set inthe n,pos it;ion as shown in Figure 1, whereby the arms 49 and will assume the position illustrated in Figure 2. ,The setting of the trigger automatically earriesthe-arm 5.9.into engagement with the contact When the alarmis actuated .at.the designated hour, the parking" trigger onthe clock, insane the; light circuit whichis normally open bealarm mechanism-for'reieasing said 7 r,

- tween the contact 43 and theoontaotiarm 59, an electrical circuit selector ongsa'idf 'ock,'

will be closed due to the-mdlvement of the manually controlledg nieans fol. operating" arm 59. through the movement of the tri --said selector, said means havingoperative 56 gen us hereinbeforee'x laine'dq The circuit connection with saidtri g gerifor'settm'gsaid ls then cornpletai and -e parkin light will tri r-, a circuit governing mechanism car: -be lighted. A-stud 64 isprovi ed on the ysaid clock, and-means carried-by said backplate 20 to limit the extent of movement tr g 'foroperatingsaid circuit governing I: of the cam 18 {when the shaft '14 is operated. mec i nism. I

While in this'preferred embodimentof the I -.5. The'combinatioiifwitha'cloclr havin invention I have [illustrated andvdescribed an alarm-mechanism, of a Silflhfi' actuated certain-details entering intov the construction trigger on'the clock, means'contro ed h the and operation thereof, Idesire it to .be alarm mechanism for releasing said trigger 4 I derstood that the invention is not to be 11m? .upon operation of the alarm mechanism, 9.

ited thereby, out that. any desired-changes circuit closer on said clock,trigge r actuated I and modifications may be made in thestrucmechanism on, -the clock for governing said tural details thereofras-will fall withm the, circuit closer, and means carried by said sco eof the invention asclaime'd;

trigger for checking claim: alarm mechanism uring movement of the ;1. The. combination i vith a clock having triggera an alarmzmechanisin, of a spnn actuated.- 6. The conibinat-ion with a clock havin trigger on the'clock, means contro alarm mechanism for releasing sald'trigger, trigger on the clock,

ed by the an, alarm mechanism,1-of 'a springactuate 'inanualy operable a circui t closer on said clock, and tr get no means, for setting saidingger, means co'n- 70 toot-ed meanson the clock for governing said trolled by the alarm mechanism 'for' releas- I circuit closer;

v ing said trigger, and a circuit gove el-Elie combination with a clock having member operativelyconnected with axis" on ,a-la'rni" mechanism, of a s ring actuate trigger settin means."

the operation of'said tri gel-carried by said cloc means'con- 7. The coin inat-ion with a clock-havingate tro ed by the alarm mechanism for'releasan alarm mechanism, of a spring. actu ing said trigger an electrical -ircuitselector trigger. on the clock, manually-controlled on said-clock, and means for operatingsaid means for setting said Atrigger, means conselector said n eans'acting toset said trigger. trolled by the alarm mechanism for. releas .--3. The comhination-witha clock having an. ing said trigger upon operation of said 7 alarmmechanism,' of a spring actuated trig alarm mechanism,'-means carried by the trig? I ger,on th e clock,.-niea ns controlled by- -:1larm mechanism for-releasing said tn ger, mechanism during movement-of the. tri

gar for checking operation of the alarma get, an electricalfcircuit selector on said c 0ck,. a. circuit selector controlled by said'tri r 1- and means manually operable on said clock-v setting means and a trigger actuated circuit 85 to operate said selector, said means having closer on the clock.

setting said trigger; Y signature operative connection with said trigger for In'testimony whereof have aiiired my an alarm niechanism, of a spring a 4. The'combination with aclockhavin ctuate James a. VINCENT. 

